While some couples love the idea of a huge wedding, turning their big day into a massive party with hundreds of guests, there are others who dream of a smaller, more intimate celebration. Small weddings have become increasingly popular over the years, with good reason. A small wedding gives you the freedom to really personalise your day and create a wedding that is 100%, authentically ‘you’. And, of course, fewer guests means you have more budget to play with, making a destination wedding the perfect choice. If you’re dreaming of a small destination wedding in Santorini, our luxury wedding venue Le Ciel has all the advice you need to make it one to remember.
What is a small wedding?
While everyone will have their own personal thoughts on what defines a small wedding, typically this would be a celebration for 50 guests or less. Some couples may choose to only invite a handful of guests, while others quickly find that their 50 max guest list fills up simply by inviting close family.
The most important thing to keep in mind is that the majority of wedding venues will have a minimum guest number requirement. If you fall in love with a venue but don’t meet this number, you will likely have to pay an additional fee to hire at reduced capacity. For example, Le Ciel, our breath-taking Santorini destination wedding venue, has a minimum requirement of 30 guests during high season, which runs from 20th May to 30th September. However, if you have your heart set on a smaller wedding with us that’s no problem at all – an extra fee will be added to the venue fee, ensuring your intimate big day is just as special as a huge celebration.
Who to invite to an intimate wedding?
When planning your small destination wedding, one thing you don’t need to stress too much over is the guest list. When you get married in another country it gives you the freedom to be more selective with who you invite, with no obligations to invite guests who aren’t close family and friends. It’s important to talk with your partner early on in the planning process to work out who absolutely must be there – the people you could not imagine getting married without. You’ll also have to make a decision on where you stand with plus ones; with limited guest numbers it’s an important consideration. And, while many couples opt for child-free weddings at home, it’s a much bigger ask for guests to travel to a different country without their children, so do think about this when planning guest numbers.
How to choose the perfect wedding venue
One of the best things about planning a small wedding is that you have so much choice when it comes to wedding venues. Non-traditional venues work really well for intimate destination weddings, but you’ll also find many standard venues have special packages for smaller celebrations. Le Ciel is one of those unique Santorini wedding venues that works just as well for small weddings as it does for large parties. Say your vows on our stunning open-air terrace with views out across the Aegean Sea, surrounded by your nearest and dearest. When the ‘I do’s are over, our talented weddings team can transform the space into a romantic, intimate alfresco reception space where you and your guests can dine under the stars. Absolutely unforgettable.
Budget for your small destination wedding
As with any wedding of any size, you’ll need to set a budget before you get stuck into planning. A smaller guest list will obviously give you more budget to spend on the other details of your day, making a destination wedding feel more affordable. Once you’ve decided on your venue, work out the cost and how you want to split up the rest of your budget. Don’t forget to include your flights and accommodation into your destination wedding budget.
Find the right wedding planner
A small destination wedding doesn’t mean it’s any less special. To ensure your big day is perfect, it’s so important to use an experienced, local wedding planner who knows exactly what they are doing. It’s tricky to plan a destination wedding from another country, so finding a planner who knows all the local contacts, rules and regulations will make your life a lot easier and your wedding planning stress-free. At Le Ciel we have fantastic links with the very best Santorini wedding planners, to help make your destination wedding a dream come true.
Personalise your day
No matter how small your wedding, this is your chance to create the day you want. A smaller celebration offers so much potential to be true to yourselves as a couple, from the ceremony right down to the reception styling. Whether you love the idea of elaborate floral displays and fireworks, or prefer a more informal, relaxed afternoon of dining on the very best Greek food, we can bring your ultimate small wedding to life at Le Ciel. It’s your day, your way.
Think about accommodation
With large destination weddings most couples will offer suggestions but leave guests to sort their own accommodation. For small celebrations you may want to consider hiring a large villa, group of apartments or booking rooms in the same hotel to keep all your guests together. It’s a nice way to make the most of your time together, so it’s worth looking into when planning a small destination wedding.
Book your small destination wedding in Santorini
There are so many reasons why we love a small destination wedding. If you are dreaming of a romantic, intimate and truly unforgettable wedding day on our Greek island, we’d love to tell you more about why Le Ciel is the Santorini wedding venue for you. Just click here to get in touch with any questions and we’ll get back to you straight away.